Exploring a Divided World: A Literary Fantasy That Asks What Really Matters with Author JD Rasch

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is JD Rasch, author of the book Quasi-Crystal. Jody “J.D.” Rasch is a writer, artist, social activist, and author. His debut fantasy series, The Wanderer, incorporates social issues including politics, religion and how we are influenced in our lives.

 

Jody is also a painter, whose art explores the mysteries of our world. Jody worked in finance for many years but managed to use it for good by helping banks that gave loans to the poor. Jody now serves on not-for-profit boards that seek to make the world a better place.

 

A native New Yorker who was forced to move to the burbs, Jody now lives just outside New York City.

 

In my book review, I stated The Quasi-Crystal is part 3 of a fantasy series, The Wanderer. Despite being the third book of which I didn't read the first two, I found this fantasy quite fascinating. I particularly liked Pom, an ex-thief who soon realizes she has immense powers of empathy and calm, as well as Theb, a gemstone cutter who insists the rock he has found is more than a rock. Both find themselves drawn into a quest despite having no real appetite for one.

 

JD does a great job getting readers to think about politics and religion, asking questions like what do you want? And why? In one instance, he shows two groups who worship differently, and face in opposite directions to pray. The question is asked - does the direction matter? And it made me think about ways people worship and whether the differences are significant or superficial.

 

Throughout the book, readers learn tidbits of JDs beliefs - humans are humans, people can create excuses for anything they do, we always have a choice, and more. Throw these in with great characters and a fantasy world complete with a quest to save humankind - and you have a great story. As someone who isn't usually interested in fantasy, I still enjoyed this story.

 

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Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290

 

You can follow Author JD Rasch

Website: https://jdrasch.com/

LinkedIn: @jodyrasch

IG: @jodyrasch

FB: @jody.rasch.35

 

Purchase The Quasi-Crystal on Amazon:

Paperback: https://amzn.to/4hUtLin

Ebook: https://amzn.to/4qRuxke

 

Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com

FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor

IG: @terimbrown_author

X: @terimbrown1

 

Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors

 

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